A freshen up following an unsuccessful quick fire Sydney Autumn Campaign could be the right medicine for Hey Doc who is being set for the Group 1 $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20.
Hey Doc, above, is being set for The Goodwood at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Hey Doc scored a comfortable win in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 4 before heading to Sydney where he ran ninth to It’s Somewhat in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 1.
Trainer Tony McEvoy then sent the Duporth gelding back to Melbourne enroute back to his farm at Angaston where he has freshened up nicely for his next Group 1 assignment.
“After Sydney, he went back to Melbourne and had a week or so in Melbourne and then he came back here to Angaston and went back to my farm,” McEvoy told racing.com.
“He’s had a nice sweeten-up, a freshen-up and stayed in work and he’s been back in the stable here for ten days or so.”
Even though Hey Doc’s best form has been over 1400m to 1600m, McEvoy thinks that a high pressure 1200m sprint race could suit the three year old.
“He’s obviously very good at a mile, being a Group 1 winner at a mile, and his run at 1400 metres was really explosive in the C.S. Hayes, and I think you need a really strong 1400-metre horse to win a Goodwood,” McEvoy said.
“His 1200 (metre) form is probably not good enough to win a Goodwood but hopefully he’s a better horse now and I’m really looking forward to seeing him under a high-pressure 1200. He should be hitting the line very strongly.”
McEvoy has been pleased with Hey Doc’s work at Angaston and he will take him to Morphettville on Saturday to have a gallop in between races on South Australian Derby Day as a lead up to the Goodwood the following week.
“Luke Currie came over and gave him a little gallop yesterday (Monday) here at Angaston and he galloped really well and he’s going down to Adelaide at Morphettville on Saturday to have a gallop between races,” McEvoy said.
Hey Doc is currently listed at $11 for The Goodwood at Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Darren Weir trained Black Heart Bart as the $2.50 favourite to make it back to back Goodwood wins.
Also in contention for The Goodwood is the Peter Gelagotis trained Malaguerra at $7, the former West Australian trained sprinter Vega Magic at $8 and Black Heart Bart’s stablemate Voodoo Lad at $9.
Early market order for The Goodwood at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.50 Black Heart Bart, $7 Malaguerra, $8 Vega Magic, $9 Voodoo Lad, $11 Hellbent, Hey Doc, Illustrious Lad, $13 Secret Agenda, $17 Sheidel, Under The Louvre, $19 Viddora, $21 El Divino, $26 Bassett, Faatinah, Keen Array, Lucky Liberty, Super Cash, $31 or better the rest.
